UN Human Rights Expert Speaks Out Against Religious Intolerance
Posted August 21, 2009
June 10, 2002. Manila, Philippines... [IRLA News] United Nations special rapporteur to the Commission on Human Rights Prof. Abdelfattah Amor, speaking at the opening session of the world religious freedom Congress organized by the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) today, said that religious extremism and intolerance posed one of the world's greatest threats.
Prof. Amor, also vice-chair of the U.N. Human Rights Committee, spoke on the theme of the Congress, 'Religious Freedom: A Basis for Peace and Justice,' underlining the tragic consequences of inter-religious conflict and the vital importance of respecting freedom of belief. "In various countries religious freedom violations occur because of political reasons," said Amor. "As a result these violations are not dealt with and continue-actions of discrimination and intolerance, while freedom of thought, conscience and belief is attacked."